District administration gears up for byelection

With the bypoll for Patiala Urban scheduled for August 21, only a month away, the district administration is gearing up to conduct fair and violence-free election.

Chairing a meeting senior officials and representatives from different parties, deputy commissioner cum district election officer Varun Roojam directed them to follow the guidelines of the model code of conduct.

Discussing the profile of the constituency, Roojam said there were 1.5 lakh voters in the segment, out of whom 79, 475 were males and 71, 985 were females.

Saying that candidates can file nomination papers from July 26 to August 2, Roojam added that scrutiny of documents will be held on August 4. Candidates can withdraw their papers till August 6.

"We have constituted flying squads, video and static surveillance teams to keep a check on the inflow of drugs, money and other illegal activities in the constituency. Meanwhile, a media certification and monitoring committee has also been formed to keep tab on paid news and other media-related activities of the candidates," he added.

Meanwhile, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Hardial Singh Mann said they had appealed to owners of licensed weapons registered with Civil Lines, Lahori Gate and Kotwali police stations to surrender their arms.